By Thomas J. Sullivan–
Dressbarn last week became the latest among a growing number of retail stores to announce a decision to shut their doors nationwide, including in Citrus Heights.
The company’s location at 7953 Greenback Ln. in the Citrus Town Center is one of approximately 650 stores that Ascena Retail Group, Dressbarn’s parent company, announced plans to close nationwide. A specific closing date has not yet been scheduled for the local store, but the company says operations are “winding down.”
“It’s a devastating loss for all our employees here,” said Susan Lake, assistant general manager of the Citrus Heights store. “It’s heartbreaking for many of our longtime customers who have been shopping with us for years.”
Lake referred questions to Dressbarn’s headquarters in Mahwah, New Jersey, which were unavailable for comment. Dressbarn is an anchor tenant in the Citrus Town Center, at the corner of Greenback Lane and Sunrise Boulevard.
Related: Hobby Lobby to fill former Citrus Heights Toys R Us building
Ascena Retail Group is the largest specialty retailer for women and girls in the United States and has a collective of eight brands—including Ann Taylor, LOFT, Lou & Grey, Dressbarn, Lane Bryant, Cacique, Catherines, and Justice.
In a press release, Steven Taylor, its chief financial officer said Dressbarn had served women’s fashion needs for over 50 years. “This decision was difficult, but necessary, as the Dressbarn chain has not been operating at an acceptable level of profitability in today’s retail environment.”
All Dressbarn locations are currently open and customers can continue to shop in-store and online. There are no current changes to Dressbarn’s return, refund, or gift card policies.
“Dressbarn associates will be notified when decisions are made about specific store closures and provided with transition support,” Taylor said. “Dressbarn intends to continue paying its vendors and suppliers in full in the ordinary course for products and services provided to Dressbarn during its wind down process.”
The decline in brick-and-mortar retail is largely attributed to the rise in online shopping, but companies like Hobby Lobby are bucking the trend and continuing to expand while other companies go under. Hobby Lobby announced it is planning to open 65 more stores this year, including its new Citrus Heights store that is expected to open later this year in the former Toys R Us building on Greenback Lane.
Dressbarn on Monday became the latest among a growing number of retail stores to announce a decision to shut their doors nationwide, including in Citrus Heights...
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